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Old Berwick Historical Society

EIN 01-0360460 · South Berwick, ME

Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong97 out of 100GovernanceStrong90 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

PROMOTES PUBLIC AWARENESS OF AND APPRECIATION FOR LOCAL AND REGIONAL HISTORY THROUGH A VARIETY OF ACTIVITIES THAT EXPLORE, PRESERVE, INTERPRET, AND CELEBRATE THE PAST, AND THROUGH STEWARDSHIP OF THE COUNTING HOUSE AND ITS COLLECTIONS. THE COUNTING HOUSE MUSEUM IS A REPOSITORY FOR DOCUMENTS, PHOTOGRAPHS AND HISTORIC CURIOSITIES COVERING A WIDE SPECTRUM OF COMMUNITY LIFE IN AND AROUND THE BERWICKS, SITE OF THE FIRST PERMANENT SETTLEMENT IN MAINE.

Income
$60,937
Spending
$60,270
Spent on programs
86%
Reserves
29.8 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 69%
Employees
0
Volunteers
0

Source: Form 990 for the year ending April 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Strong: 97 out of 100. Higher than 85% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, under $250k).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 29.8 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 0% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    12 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 1% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 93% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    86% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending April 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 90 out of 100. Higher than 85% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, under $250k).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    350 of 8 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    0 of 8

    Reports no written whistleblower policy.

  • Record keeping policy

    7 of 7

    Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.

  • Board minutes

    5 of 5

    Keeps minutes of board meetings.

  • Board sees the tax return

    10 of 10

    Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.

  • No reported misuse

    10 of 10

    Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending April 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Impact evidence

Describes programs. Its tax return describes what it does but we have found no measurable results in it.

Programs described in its return (4)
  1. $14,008 spent. OPERATE AND MAINTAIN THE COUNTING HOUSE MUSEUM
  2. $5,110 spent. PROVIDE MONTHLY HISTORIC EDUCATIONAL LECTURE PROGRAMS AND MAINTAIN A WEBSITE THAT CONTAINS HISTORICAL INFORMATION FOR PUBLIC ACCESS.
  3. $21,864 spent. MANAGE ARTIFACTS AND COLLECTION FOR MUSEUM DISPLAY
  4. $10,735 spent. NEW INITIATIVE PROGRAMS

Source: Form 990 for the year ending April 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Legitimacy checks

  1. Is it registered with the IRS? Passed.

    Listed in the IRS master file of tax-exempt organizations as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.

  2. Has the IRS revoked its tax-exempt status? Passed.

    Not on the IRS automatic revocation list.

    Source: Automatic revocation of exemption list, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 30, 2026.

  3. Are donations tax-deductible? Passed.

    On the IRS list of organizations eligible to receive tax-deductible contributions.

    Source: Publication 78 data: organizations eligible for tax-deductible contributions, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 10, 2026.

  4. Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.

    Most recent return on file covers the year ending April 2025.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.

  5. How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.

    Recognized by the IRS since February 1997.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.

  6. Is it in good standing with state regulators? Passed.

    Not on California's list of charities barred from soliciting. Other states are not yet checked.

    Source: May Not Operate or Solicit for Charitable Purposes list, California Attorney General, Registry of Charities and Fundraisers, file dated October 7, 2026.

Ratings and checks are our reading of public records, using the published method. They are not a statement about anyone's honesty. If you work for this organization, you can send corrections or results, confirm you want gifts through Veridonate, or ask to be removed from giving.